The Preliminary SAT, also known as the PSAT/NMSQT® (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test), is a practice version of the SAT exam. The PSAT can be taken once per year, and many students take the test in both 10th and 11th grade. Earning a high score on the PSAT in your junior year could qualify you to receive a National Merit Scholarship. Approximately $180 million dollars in merit scholarships are awarded to students each year. The PSAT is 2 hours and 45 minutes long and tests skills in reading, writing, and math. Unlike the SAT, the highest score possible on the PSAT is 1520.
AP Potential - AP Potential is designed to help schools increase the number of students who have access to AP and to ensure that no student who has the chance of succeeding in AP is overlooked. AP Potential can be used to identify areas in which a student may want to try more challenging coursework.
After Taking the PSAT
Students who have provided an email address on their PSAT answer sheet will receive an electronic score report in mid-December.
Students who did not provide an email address on their answer sheet will receive a paper score report from their school counselor during the third marking period. Once the scores are received, here's what your student can do to make the most out of the experience:
Log in to or create a College Board account online. PSAT/NMSQT® scores will be released online mid-December. Students should log in to their College Board account to see scores and test performance details.
Explore Careers. When students log in to see their scores, they can connect with Roadmap to Careers. They answer questions to find out which careers interest them, what degrees they'll need, and what high school courses to take. They can watch video interviews with people in professions related to their interests.
Register for the SAT® or the ACT. Take the next step toward college by registering for one of these tests. Both are now widely accepted by colleges and universities across the country; and
Resources
Understanding Your PSAT/NMSQT Score Report The College Board
If you do not want your child's college performance-related standardized test scores such as the SAT and ACT to be included on his/her official secondary school transcript, please submit the ACT/SAT Opt-Out Form (PDF) to your child's school counseling department. Visit the College Entrance Testing webpage for more information and translated forms.
